GP and KZN stations running dry

The Fuel Retailer’s Association (FRA) has reported that 150 petrol stations in Gauteng and 50 in KwaZulu-Natal are without petrol

“These were the figures by the close of business yesterday [Wednesday],” said chief executive of the FRA Reggie Sibiya.

“But these are just reported figures. Some service stations are not reporting anything for fear of intimidation, so it could probably be that between 200 to 250 service stations are without fuel in Gauteng.”

He said the strike, by workers from Ceppwawu, the Allied Workers’ Union, and the General Industries Workers’ Union of SA — approximately 70,000, was â€œbleeding the country” dry.

“Fuel retailers, for example, operate on a regulated margin. We cannot change the pump prices and we cannot recover the costs.

“We are helpless. We don’t see any progress at all and we don’t know when this strike will end.

“It is almost the end of the week, and we are without results.”

Spokesmen for Engen, Sasol and BP Southern Africa were not immediately available for comment.

The striking workers are demanding a 40-hour week and a minimum salary of R6000 a month.